Leopard geckos are one of the most popular lizards in captivity. They are easy to keep and breed with relatively low maintenance. However, these solitary creatures only interact during the breeding season between January and September and early winter, when the ambient temperature is approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

During mating, the male leopard geckos will court a female by bobbing their heads, making chirping sounds, and erecting their scales. If the female is receptive, she will allow the male to approach and mate. The mating process typically lasts several hours. After mating, the female will lay her eggs several weeks later, usually in a hiding place or a specially designed nesting box.

It is crucial to provide a suitable environment and appropriate diet to support the female and her eggs during this time.

How Does Mating Happen In Leopard Geckos?

The leopard gecko’s mating habits revolve around clasping forelimbs around a male’s neck from behind, with both reptiles slightly arching back against each other. Clasping the neck allows males to release pheromones from their bodies, stimulating the females into copulation.

Females will then lay 1-6 small eggs which the male will adhere to his body before burying them in a substrate. On average, 2-4 shortly afterward.

They can mate multiple times per day and will continue to do so until they become sexually satiated or dehydrated. The length of time it takes for a male to become sexually satiated varies depending on his age, however, it is typically within 48 hours

What’s The Difference Between Mating and Breeding?

Mating and breeding are two distinct processes in the reproduction of leopard geckos. Mating refers to sexual copulation between two leopard geckos, where the male and female come together to exchange genetic material.

Breeding, on the other hand, refers to producing offspring after successful mating. This includes mating and the care and management of the female during incubation and hatching. In essence, mating is a step in breeding but not the only step.

How Do Leopard Geckos Breed?

Leopard geckos breed in spring and early summer. Female geckos lay 1-5 eggs in a concealed location, which incubate for 6-8 weeks before hatching. The temperature during incubation determines the sex of the hatchlings.

Proper temperature and humidity levels must be maintained to ensure successful hatching. It’s worth saying that geckos are relatively easier to breed in captivity compared to other reptiles.

What Do You Need to Mate and Breed Geckos?

1. Mature Gecko Pair

To mate with leopard geckos, it is important to have a pair of healthy, sexually mature, and compatible geckos. Both male and female leopard geckos typically reach sexual maturity at around 18-24 months of age.

Before breeding, it is important to ensure that both geckos are in good health, with no visible signs of illness or injury.

A pre-breeding check-up with a reptile veterinarian is recommended. Proper diet, housing, and lighting are also important for maintaining the overall health of your geckos and increasing the chances of successful mating and hatching.

2. Suitable, Sizeable Enclosure

Providing a suitable habitat for your leopard geckos is vital for their overall health and well-being and successful breeding.

The enclosure should have a warm and humid hiding spot, a warm basking area, and a cool area for thermoregulation. The temperature should range from 70-85°F (21-29°C) during the day and 60-75°F (15-24°C) at night.

It is also important to provide a source of humidity, such as a water dish or misting the enclosure, to ensure that the geckos’ skin stays hydrated. Substrates, such as coconut coir or reptile carpet, can help keep the appropriate humidity levels.

Adequate space should be provided to allow for climbing and exploring. Finally, a secure and escape-proof enclosure is necessary to keep your geckos safe and contained.

3. Nutritious Diet

A balanced and varied diet will help to keep your geckos healthy and increase the chances of successful mating and hatching.

Leopard geckos are primarily insectivores and should be fed a diet consisting mainly of live insects, such as crickets or mealworms.

These insects should be dusted with a calcium supplement before feeding to ensure that the geckos are receiving adequate calcium for their growth and development.

4. Appropriate Lighting/Heating

Leopard geckos require a source of UVB lighting to synthesize vitamin D3, which is vital for the proper metabolism of calcium. The UVB light should be positioned to allow the geckos to bask in its light for several hours each day.

In addition to UVB lighting, a heat source, such as a heat lamp or under-tank heater, is needed to provide a warm basking area and maintain the appropriate temperature range in the enclosure.

5. Egg Laying Box

Egg-laying boxes are an essential item for breeders of leopard geckos. These boxes should be safe and secure for female leopard geckos to lay their eggs.

The box should be moist but not soaked wet to prevent the eggs from drying. The ideal humidity level in the egg-laying box is between 60% and 70%. This can be achieved by adding damp sphagnum moss, coconut coir, or vermiculite to the box.

The temperature inside the egg-laying box should be between 82°F and 88°F. This can be maintained by placing a heat mat underneath the box or using a heat lamp aimed at one side of the box. A thermometer should be used to monitor the temperature inside the box.

The egg-laying box should have a lid to retain humidity and prevent the eggs from drying out. It can be made from a plastic container or from organic materials like coconut coir or sphagnum moss.

The box size should be large enough for the female leopard gecko to comfortably lay her eggs in and have a secure lid to prevent the eggs from falling out.

It is essential to regularly check on the eggs to ensure they are developing correctly and prevent mold or bacterial growth. The eggs should be incubated for approximately 55 to 70 days before hatching.

Maintaining the ideal temperature and humidity levels in the egg laying box during this time is crucial to ensure successful hatching.

6. Observation And Monitoring

Regularly observing the geckos for any signs of illness or injury, and checking that the temperature and humidity levels are within the appropriate range, can help to ensure that your geckos are healthy and comfortable.

Monitoring the geckos’ behavior can also help to determine when they are ready to mate and can provide insight into the success of the mating and hatching process. It is important to allow the geckos to mate on their own terms and not to force the process.

How to Incubate Leopard Gecko Eggs

Here’s a more detailed explanation of incubating leopard gecko eggs:

• Obtain a suitable incubation box: You will need a large container to hold your eggs, with a lid that can be secured to maintain humidity levels. A plastic shoebox or similar container will suffice.
• Fill the container with substrate: The substrate is what you will use to incubate the eggs. Vermiculite or coconut coir is often used as a substrate, as they help to retain moisture. Fill the container with the substrate until it is about 2 inches deep.
• Place the eggs in the container: Gently place them into the substrate, ensuring they are not touching each other. Cover the eggs with a layer of the substrate about 1 inch deep.
• Maintain temperature and humidity levels: Keep the container warm, around 82°F to 88°F. The temperature must be consistent, so using a thermometer to monitor it is recommended. The humidity levels must be kept between 70% and 80%. You can monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer.
• Check the eggs regularly: Check the eggs every few days for signs of mold or fungus, which can indicate that the humidity levels are too high. If this is the case, open the container’s lid for a few minutes to allow some moisture to escape. You should also check the temperature regularly to ensure it remains stable.
• Wait for the eggs to hatch: Incubation time for leopard gecko eggs can vary but usually takes between 65 and 90 days. Be patient, and don’t disturb the eggs during the incubation period.

Selective Breeding in Leopard Geckos

Selective breeding in leopard geckos refers to intentionally mating specific geckos to produce offspring with desirable traits, such as unique color patterns, morphs, and other physical characteristics.

This can be done by selecting geckos based on specific attributes and pairing them with a partner with complementary traits.

The resulting offspring are then evaluated, and the best individuals are selected for future breeding. This process is repeated over several generations to produce geckos with the desired traits.

It’s essential to understand leopard geckos’ specific needs and behaviors before attempting to breed them and to provide proper care, including a nutritious diet, a suitable habitat, and temperature control. Additionally, only geckos from the same species should be bred to avoid hybridization and potential health problems.

Selective breeding should be approached with caution and a commitment to the long-term health and well-being of the geckos and their offspring.

It’s recommended to seek a reptile veterinarian’s advice and thoroughly research the breeding process and its potential risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Mating Season for Leopard Geckos?

Leopard geckos typically mate in the spring and summer but can mate year-round in captive environments with appropriate conditions.

How Do Leopard Geckos Initiate Mating?

Leopard geckos will often initiate mating by engaging in head-bobbing displays and tail-wagging behaviors.

How Many Eggs Can a Leopard Gecko Lay?

Leopard geckos can lay 1 to 3 eggs per clutch, with several clutches per year.

What Is the Mating Season for Leopard Geckos?

Leopard geckos typically mate in the spring and summer but can mate year-round in captive environments with appropriate conditions.

How Can You Tell If a Leopard Gecko Is Male or Female?

Male leopard geckos have larger, bulbous heads and prominent femoral pores on their inner thighs. Female leopard geckos have a slender build and smaller heads.

How Long Does Leopard Gecko Mating Last?

Leopard gecko mating typically lasts about 10 minutes.

Do Leopard Geckos Mate for Life?

No, leopard geckos do not mate for life. They are solitary creatures and do not form pair bonds.

Can Leopard Geckos Breed with Other Species?

No, leopard geckos should only be bred with other leopard geckos to avoid hybridization and potential health problems.

How Do You Tell If a Leopard Gecko Is Pregnant?

To determine if a leopard gecko is pregnant, look for swelling of the abdomen, increased weight, changes in behavior such as increased lethargy and hiding, gravid spotting near the base of the tail, and X-rays.

It’s crucial to provide proper care for a pregnant leopard gecko, including a nutritious diet and a suitable laying environment, and to seek the advice of a reptile veterinarian.

Wrap Up

Leopard geckos mate and breed by having a male approach a female and initiate mating behavior through head-bobbing and tail-wagging. The mating process typically lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, after which the female may lay 1 to 3 eggs in a suitable laying area.

Leopard geckos do not form pair bonds and should only be bred with other leopard geckos to avoid hybridization and potential health problems.

It is vital to provide adequate care, including proper diet, habitat, and temperature, to ensure the health and well-being of both the geckos and their offspring.